By Moses Okorie
Leadership tussle is currently brewing in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the Federal Capital Territory as the senator representing FCT in the National Assembly under the umbrella of the party, Ireti Heebah Kingibe, has urged all executive members and stakeholders of the party to disregard a meeting called by its state chairman, Chief Clement Obah Ehigiator, saying the meeting is lacking in merit.
The directive by the senator has continued to record divergent views and disagreement amongst supporters of the party across various social media handles.
In an internal memo with the caption ‘urgent directive regarding the proposed stakeholders meeting’, Ireti said the scheduled meeting, as proposed, has been reviewed and found to lack merit, adding that the convening of the meeting is deemed unconstitutional and does not align with the due process of the party.
According to her, “My attention as the leader of ADC FCT has been drawn to a meeting circular dated 10th March, 2026, signed by Chief Clement Obah Ehigiator (State Chairman), scheduling a stakeholders meeting for Wednesday 11th March, 2026.
“In view of this, I have directed that an internal Memo be issued in respect to the proposed meeting, in my capacity as the Leader of ADC FCT for the following reasons:
“The scheduled meeting, as proposed, has been reviewed and found to lack merit. The convening of this meeting is deemed unconstitutional and does not align with the due process of our party.
“All stakeholders are hereby warned and directed to avert this meeting. And no gathering of any kind should hold under the name “ADC FCT” at the party’s National Secretariat or any other location.
“All party meetings of any kind regarding the FCT chapter remain suspended until further communication from this office.
“Your full compliance and understanding in this regard are highly imperative, as this decision was taken for the purpose of maintaining the unity, integrity and respecting the constitution of our Party and to ensure that the FCT ADC is not being ran arbitrarily outside the party rules and regulations”, she said.
On the other hand, there was a rejoinder from Nwigbo Chukwudi Samuel, Publicity Secretary, ADC FCT says, “Our attention has been drawn to a certain INTERNAL MEMO from Distinguished Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe purportedly cancelling a strategic stakeholders meeting called by the Congress Chairman of ADC FCT, Chief Clement Oba Ehigiator. You are by this notice, kindly requested to ignore the sham memo and attend the meeting as earlier scheduled.
“It is the prerogative of the party chairman to call for meetings as and when due. He alone has the constitutional duty of the day to day running of the party. The ADC constitution is clear on the role of everyone and at no point did the constitution of ADC devolve such power to a party leader.
“THE MEETING THEREFORE, HOLDS AS PLANNED. All attendees are therefore put on notice to kindly keep to time as important deliberations will be made and support will be given to the Area Councils to advance the ongoing e-registration in the FCT.
“All intending aspirants for the various elective positions in the FCT are also, kindly requested to stay focused and rest assured that the ADC FCT STAKEHOLDERS have taken decisive actions to scuttle all attempts to hijack the party structure in FCT ahead of the primaries”.